Navigating Google’s DMCA takedown process can feel like an overwhelming maze. From combing through endless search results to identify infringers, to filing individual notices for each instance of copyright violation, the process is as tedious as it is frustrating. Even after submitting a takedown notice, the wait for a response—often weeks or even months—can leave you feeling powerless.
To make matters worse, repeat offenders frequently reappear, and the lack of accessible support only adds to the challenge.
This guide is here to change that. With clear, actionable steps, you’ll gain the tools and knowledge needed to reclaim your content and protect your intellectual property.
You’ll learn how to:
- Collect and organize evidence for your DMCA takedown notice.
- Accurately complete Google’s copyright infringement form.
- Overcome common hurdles, including rejections or counter-notifications.
- Streamline the takedown process to save time and effort.
Let’s dive in.
Step-by-step guide to filing a DMCA takedown notice with Google
1. Gather evidence
Before you file a DMCA notice, identify all the fake websites and evaluate the extent of the content infringement.
Here are the main documentation that you should have with you:
- Proof of ownership: You’ll need to prove that you are the intellectual property owner of the infringed content. While Google doesn’t require copyright registration certificates, sharing them can strengthen your case. If unavailable, detailed screenshots and page URLs should be sufficient.
- Timestamps and screenshots: Take clear screenshots of the infringing content and also record the date and time of each infringement. The goal is to show that the infringed content was published after your original work was made publicly available.
- Collect URLs: Save the page URLs that infringe on your copyright.
Google reviews all the evidence shared to ensure it meets the Digital Millennium Copyright Act requirements. If Google finds the request valid, it will remove the infringing content immediately and inform the infringer. However, incomplete or incorrect information could result in a rejected DMCA notice.
So, take your time to gather evidence and cross-check everything before you start filing a DMCA takedown notice with Google.
2. Open the copyright infringement form
You’ll have to log into your Google account to access and fill out the copyright infringement form. If you are filing on behalf of your organization, use your official work email address to build credibility for your claim.
3. Provide details of your copyrighted work
Start by adding your contact information, including your name, company name, email address, and region. You also need to confirm whether you are the copyright owner or an authorized person acting on behalf of the copyright owner.
Provide a detailed description of your copyrighted work, including how it was plagiarized or copied. Be as specific as possible to state your case clearly.
Next, add the URLs where the copyrighted work is hosted.
The form doesn’t allow direct file uploads. Instead, you can share screenshots or copyright registrations (if available) by uploading them to your website or Google Drive and sharing their URLs.
4. Share details of the infringed work
Add URLs of all pages infringing on your copyrighted work, even if they are from different websites.
To report multiple infringed works, click ‘Add new group’ and provide their respective details.
Agree to the good faith statement, add your signature, and submit.
Google doesn’t specify how long it will take to review a DMCA request and take action, but some Reddit users have stated that it can take anywhere between a few weeks to a month for Google to respond.
Google is also very transparent about the content removal requests it receives. You can check the Transparency Report to view which organizations have filed for copyright removals and how many of their requests have already been resolved.
What to do if your request is denied?
Getting a rejection from Google for a DMCA takedown is more common than you’d think, especially if it’s your first time filing one. A ‘denied’ tag on your takedown request doesn’t mean there’s no hope. It only means Google didn’t find enough evidence to confirm your copyrighted work was, in fact, infringed.
Here are the steps to take if your DMCA takedown request is denied.
Review Google’s response
First things first: Check the reason Google denied your request. Some users report receiving a ‘Not enough information provided’ response even after attaching several screenshots. This can happen if the screenshots are unclear or the URLs don’t contain the same information as the screenshots.
Users have also been denied for not being the authorized representative of the copyright owner.
Monitor for counter-notices
When you file a DMCA takedown, Google also informs the alleged infringer and gives them a limited time to respond to the request. You might receive a counter-notice from the infringer and will be asked to respond to the notice before Google can take any further action.
Check your submission details again
Look into your original DMCA submission and ensure all the information is accurate and complete. If your request was denied due to insufficient information, include more documentation or clearer comparisons between your work and the infringing website.
Re-submit the takedown notice
Address the issues in your first submission, incorporate additional documentation and evidence, and resubmit your DMCA takedown notice to protect your website from copycats.
Streamline your DMCA takedowns with Red Points
Red Points is an AI Brand Protection and Anti-Piracy platform that offers automated DMCA Takedown services. It monitors the web 24/7 to detect copyright violations and submit DMCA takedown notices on your behalf.
Here are the key features of Red Points:
- Automated monitoring and detection: Red Points constantly scans Google platforms (Search, YouTube, Shopping) for infringements. It leverages AI to detect both exact matches and variations of content.
- Streamlined DMCA takedown process: Red Points automates the filing of DMCA notices to ensure speed and accuracy while minimizing the risk of errors, rejections, or delays
- Scalable for all business sizes: With tailored solutions for SMBs, e-commerce businesses, and large enterprises, the platform easily adapts to the specific needs of any business
- Ongoing protection and insights: Red Points monitors takedown statuses in real-time. It can also detect patterns and repeat offenders to prevent future intellectual property infringements.
What’s next
Google is the biggest search engine in the world, with a market share of almost 90%, making it a prime battleground for protecting your content. The longer it takes for you to file DMCA takedowns, the easier it will be for bad actors to defraud your customers.
At Red Points, we’ve seen website infringements surge by 161% since 2022. Our platform combats infringement by scanning the web 24/7 and automatically filing DMCA takedowns.
Don’t let online theft go unchecked—request a demo today to secure your digital assets and protect your brand.
